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Specialist Certificate in Neonatal Care (SC-NEOCARE)

Specialist CertificateYear: 2023 Delivered: Online

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Overview

Award titleSpecialist Certificate in Neonatal Care
Year & campus2023 — Parkville
Fees informationSubject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date
Study level & typeGraduate Coursework
AQF level Non-AQF
Credit points25 credit points
Duration6 months part-time

The Specialist Certificate in Neonatal Care is a 25 credit point, part-time, coursework program conducted over two terms. It consists of two core 12.5 credit point online subjects (NURS90076 Applied Pathophysiology, NURS90079 Foundations in Neonatal Care).

The program is targeted towards nurses and midwives who are beginning in the specialty of neonatal care. The Specialist Certificate can also lead into the Graduate Certificate of Neonatal Intensive Care (NURS90102 & NURS90094 12.5 credit points each).

The course is based on the latest evidence and best practice guidelines leading to high quality care for sick or preterm babies and their families.

Entry requirements

  1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
  • A bachelor degree in nursing or midwifery; and
  • At least one year of documented clinical experience as a registered nurse or midwife working in an acute or sub-acute healthcare service within the preceding 5 years from the time of application; and
  • Current unrestricted registration with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia; and
  • Current employment in a relevant practice area.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee entry.

  1. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
  • Prior academic performance; and
  • Clinical experience.
  1. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
  2. Applicants are required to satisfy the university's English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook. Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Intended learning outcomes

At the completion of this course, students should have;

  • a sound understanding of the scientific knowledge and evidence based practice that underpins neonatal specialty practice
  • the ability to apply critical thinking to complex clinical situations in the provision of neonatal care
  • the ability to communicate an in-depth understanding of the theory underpinning specialty neonatal practice
  • problem solving skills appropriate for delivery and evaluation of neonatal care as a specialty practice nurse or midwife
  • lifelong learning skills that facilitate knowledge and skill development as a specialty neonatal clinician and the ability to undertake ongoing professional development in preparation for more advanced levels of specialty practice

Course structure

Students must complete 2 core subjects.

Core subjects

Code Name Study period Credit Points
NURS90076 Applied Pathophysiology
January (Online)
July (Online)
 12.5
NURS90079 Foundations in Neonatal Care
April (Online)
 12.5

Further study

On completion of the course, students may be eligible to receive a full 25 credit points of advanced standing toward the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice (Neonatal Intensive Care).

Last updated: 10 November 2023